Hotel Californian

5.0 star property
5-star beach hotel near Santa Barbara Harbor

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Hotel Californian

Outdoor pool, sun loungers
Premium bedding, minibar, in-room safe, individually decorated
Restaurant
Terrace/patio
Reception

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Bar
  • Breakfast available
  • Pet friendly
  • Room service
  • Gym

Explore the area

Map
36 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101
  • Stearns Wharf
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Santa Barbara Harbor
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Santa Barbara County Courthouse
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Santa Barbara, CA (SBA-Santa Barbara Municipal)
    ‪13 min drive‬

Room options

Room, 1 King Bed (Sevilla)

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(3 reviews)
  • 490 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 2 Queen Beds (Sevilla)

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(4 reviews)
  • 490 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Room, 1 Queen Bed (Sestina)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • 490 sq ft
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

Room, 1 King Bed (Sestina)

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(12 reviews)
  • 490 sq ft
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed (Tagerinn)

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(4 reviews)
  • 670 sq ft
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 Queen Bed (Sevilla)

  • 490 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

Room, 2 Queen Beds (Granada)

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • 550 sq ft
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Room, 1 King Bed (Cordova)

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(6 reviews)
  • 640 sq ft
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 2 Queen Beds (Sestina)

  • 490 sq ft
  • Ocean view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Suite (Magellan)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 1280 sq ft
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed (Granada)

8.8 out of 10
Excellent
(5 reviews)
  • 550 sq ft
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Granada)

  • 550 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Accessible (Sevilla)

  • 490 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Sevilla)

  • 490 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Almeria)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 450 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 Queen Bed (Almeria)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(4 reviews)
  • 450 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

Room, 1 King Bed (Almeria)

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
(7 reviews)
  • 450 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 2 Queen Beds (Almeria)

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • 450 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Cordova)

  • 640 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Sestina)

  • 490 sq ft
  • City view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

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About the neighborhood

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Beach stay.A stay at this Santa Barbara Beach hotel places you steps from MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and within a 5-minute walk of Reagan Ranch Center. Moreton Bay Fig Tree and Stearns Wharf are also within half a mile (1 km).

What's nearby

  • Stearns Wharf - 7 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Santa Barbara Harbor - 7 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • Santa Barbara City College - 10 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • Santa Barbara Zoo - 2 min drive - 1.9 miles
  • Santa Barbara County Courthouse - 3 min drive - 1.2 miles

Getting around

  • Santa Barbara Station - 4 min walk
  • Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Jeannine’s American Bakery & Restaurant - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Chad’s - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Finney's Crafthouse - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪SB Biergarten - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Santa Barbara Roasting Company - ‬6 min walk

About this property

Hotel Californian

5-star beach hotel near Santa Barbara Harbor
Hotel Californian offers its guests a full-service spa, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center. There are 3 restaurants on site, along with a coffee shop/café. You can enjoy a drink at one of the bars, which include a poolside bar and a bar/lounge.

Business amenities include a business center and meeting rooms. A library, a terrace, and a complimentary children's club are also featured at the luxury Hotel Californian. For a fee, parking is available.

This 5-star Santa Barbara hotel is smoke free.

  • 121 guestrooms or units
  • 4 levels
  • 3 buildings
  • 3 dining venues
  • Meeting rooms
  • Built in 2017
  • Kid's club (free)
  • Poolside lounge chairs
  • Charging station for electric cars
  • Business facilities
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front-desk safe
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Library
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • Beauty salon
  • Bellhop
  • Elevator
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • Coffee shop
  • Bar by the pool
Hotel Californian offers 121 air-conditioned accommodations with minibars and laptop-compatible safes. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Beds feature premium bedding. Flat-screen televisions come with premium satellite channels and pay movies.

Bathrooms include bathtubs or showers, bathrobes, slippers, and designer toiletries. Business-friendly amenities include desks along with free local calls (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include espresso makers and complimentary bottled water. A nightly turndown service is provided and housekeeping is offered daily.

The onsite spa has 4 treatment rooms including rooms for couples. Services include deep-tissue massages, Swedish massages, facials, and body wraps. The spa is equipped with a steam room. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy. The spa is open daily.

Awards and affiliations

The property is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts.

Languages

English, Spanish

Similar properties

Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Children's games
  • Free children's club
  • In-room crib
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)
  • Soundproofed rooms

Parking and transportation

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Covered self parking on site (USD 55 per night)
  • Covered valet parking on site (USD 55 per night; includes in/out privileges)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily full breakfast available 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM for a fee: USD 8 to 22 for adults and USD 5 to 18 for children
  • 3 restaurants
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A poolside bar
  • Couples/private dining

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals
  • Free children's club
  • Full-service spa
  • Games
  • Gym
  • Library
  • Outdoor pool
  • Private wine tours
  • Wine tasting room
  • Wine tours

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Bathroom emergency pull cord
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Elevator
  • Grab bar near toilet
  • Low-height counter and sink
  • Raised toilet seat
  • Valet for wheelchair-equipped vehicles
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible business center
  • Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible gym
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to elevator
  • Wheelchair-accessible pool
  • Wheelchair-accessible public washroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
  • Wheelchair-accessible spa
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with premium satellite channels
  • Pay movies

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Free crib
  • Premium bedding
  • Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Designer toiletries
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Champagne service
  • Espresso maker
  • Free bottled water
  • Limited room service
  • Minibar

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Desk
  • Free local calls
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop workspace
  • Laptop-compatible safe
  • Soundproofed rooms

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Early check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability

Special check-in instructions

An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets: USD 200.00 per accommodation, per stay, plus a deposit of USD 200.00 per stay
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Food and water bowls are available
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 50.0 per night.
  • Free cribs (infant beds)!

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Resort fee: USD 51.39 per accommodation, per night
The resort fee includes:
  • Additional inclusions
  • In-room bottled water
  • Internet access
  • Newspaper
  • Phone calls
  • Shuttle service

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for full breakfast: approximately USD 8 to 22 for adults, and USD 5 to 18 for children
  • Covered self parking fee: USD 55 per night
  • Covered valet parking fee: USD 55 per night (in/out privileges)
  • Pet deposit: USD 200.00 per stay
  • Pet fee: USD 200.00 per accommodation, per stay
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 50.0 per night

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, and debit cards. Cash is not accepted. 

Property is also known as

Hotel Californian Hotel Santa Barbara
Hotel Californian Hotel
Hotel Californian Santa Barbara
Hotel Californian Hotel Santa Barbara
Hotel Californian Hotel
Hotel Californian Santa Barbara
Californian Santa Barbara

Frequently asked questions

How close is Hotel Californian to the airport?

Hotel Californian is 10.7 mi (18-min drive) away from the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Hotel Californian?

As of Jul 14, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Hotel Californian on Aug 11, 2025 start from $806.46, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Does Hotel Californian have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at Hotel Californian.

How close is Hotel Californian to the beach?

This hotel is a short 13-minute walk from East Beach and 1 mi (7-min drive) from Leadbetter Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Hotel Californian offer free breakfast?

Free breakfast isn’t offered at Hotel Californian, but full breakfast is offered for a fee of between USD 8 and 22 for adults, USD 5 and 18 for children. It's available every day from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Is there a casino at Hotel Californian?

No, there is no casino at this hotel.

What time is check-in at Hotel Californian?

Check-in start time: 4 PM; Check-in end time: anytime.

Is there free parking at Hotel Californian?

Free parking is not available at this hotel. Self parking is available for USD 55 per night, and valet parking for USD 55 per night.

Does Hotel Californian have a pool?

Hotel Californian features an outdoor pool.

Does Hotel Californian have a restaurant?

Yes, there are 3 restaurants on site.

Does Hotel Californian have a spa?

This hotel has a spa, which features aromatherapy, facials, and body treatments.

How close is Hotel Californian to downtown Santa Barbara?

Hotel Californian is 1.1 mi away from Santa Barbara.

Hotel Californian Reviews

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 662 out of 892 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 130 out of 892 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 57 out of 892 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 29 out of 892 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 14 out of 892 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

9.0/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

joseph

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
A unique luxury with european style.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bethany

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved our stay here! It was the perfect trip!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Samantha

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful hotel & spa. Everyone on the staff was extremely helpful and nice. It’s walking distance from everything, beach and state street.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very nice stay. Nice staff will return
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mac

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

4/10 Poor

Sindia

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nvard

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

David

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nikolai

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeremiah

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Location and Decor was perfect. First Class Experience!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Daniel R, SLc

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Very clean, comfortable beds. Rooms were great.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alexsander

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
like it
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kazem, Los Angeles

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Pigi

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
Beautiful property very centrally located I didn't find our stay to be over the top even though we paid a lot to be there. We tried to play cards one night no one could help. We tried to order dinner to the patio one night no one could tell us how to do that either. We ended up just ordering Uber. Not the service I was expecting in such a high end hotel.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful hotel in a great part of town. Easy access to restaurants, safe and friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Luis G

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Sarah

Liked: Cleanliness

Not so much

The rooftop hot tub that we were looking forward to was out of service ☹️ Disappointing considering the luxury price tag for our stay
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Samson

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Lindsey

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Diane

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We paid $1400 for our room and I would not say this was a $1400/night experience. First the staff forgot to tell us our room was ready. Then I went to use the shower and it had dirt on the wall and the shower curtain so our $1400/night room clearly had not been cleaned. Lastly we had appointments at the spa. There were no amenities and we were supposed to have specialized treatments but just ended up with basic massages. Save your money and go to the Ritz.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Samantha

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful rooms and property, close to the beach and close to all the restaurants
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024